Plone - For Beginner Piano [1999] torrent

Review by John Bush
It's surely not one of the most adventurous collections of tracks ever released on Warp, but For Beginner Piano is an enjoyable album, especially for those interested in the history of the synthesizer and tape music ('60s pioneers Perrey & Kingsley are probably the best reference point). Though their attraction to vintage electronics places them in league with groups such as Add N (To X) and Stereolab, most of Plone's songs actually sound like they were recorded during the late '60s or early '70s -- the basslines are undoubtedly chunkier, and there's a bit more clutter to the productions, but the melodies are simplistic and in the forefront while the tempos rarely make it over 60 bpm. At times, Plone sounds reminiscent of Mouse on Mars or like a Spartan version of Air, but the general drift of the proceedings is much closer to Esquivel than Autechre. (4/5)